DANA POINT, Calif. — While we’ll have wall-to-wall Josh McDaniels-Jay Cutler coverage throughout DenverPost.com and tomorrow’s print edition (remember those? please buy one!), I wanted to pass along a couple of other more newsy nuggets from McDaniels’ hour-long sit down with the media here on Tuesday morning.

About that defense: “I think it’s really important that we see where we finish this spring, and head into training camp in terms of our personnel. I don’t think we can really sit there today and say, ‘That looks perfect.’ In terms of playing them as a 3-4 or as a 4-3, I think we have guys that can do a lot of things. Versatility is a huge thing for what we’re going to try to do on defense.”

Our take: McDaniels and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan might have a vision for the defense, but they don’t have all the parts yet, especially on the defensive line. So don’t feel bad if you aren’t sure what this defense will look like come September, because it doesn’t seem like McDaniels really knows either.

About the offensive line (it is important to note that the offensive line is the only unit that has been virtually unaffected by the new regime. All five starters return. Still, McDaniels did acknowledge that guys like Ben Hamilton and Casey Wiegmann are smaller than typical interior linemen he is used to.): “The biggest thing to me in terms of size is can they anchor? Can they anchor the pocket without getting pushed into the quarterback? … But the guys we have, Wiegmann, Hamilton, even though they’re a little lighter, they play with great leverage, and that’s the big thing for me. We can play with those guys, and they’re going to play well. ”

Our take: Perhaps the best move McDaniels has made since being hired was the one he DIDN’T make — and that’s keeping Rick Dennison and the entire line in tact.

About what Denver’s running game might look like in 2009: “Our playbook looks pretty nice in terms of what we’ll be able to do in the running game because we’ve carried over plenty of what they do and what they’ve done, and we’ve added what we’ve done in New England.”

Our take: I think McDaniels’ first genuine smile of his interview came during this question, like he is truly excited about the prospects of drawing up running plays. Look for Denver to combine the best part of Denver’s age-old zone-blocking scheme with some of the multiple-back sets New England liked to run. Again, keeping Bobby Turner as running backs coach was a smart move.

On the AFC West, which technically has three new head coaches in McDaniels, Kansas City’s Todd Haley and Oakland’s Tom Cable (Cable had the “interim” tagged removed): “It’s a pain in the butt to get ready for them in the offseason. You’ve got teams like Kansas City that obviously are going to run a different offense, a different defense. Oakland, I don’t know if they’re going to run a different offense and defense, but it’s going to be a little different. So your preparation in the spring is a little difficult because you can’ tjust turn on the tape from last season and go “OK, that’s what we have to beat next year” because its going to change. San Diego should be the one constant there, but as you’re getting ready for your division opponents in the offseason, which you normally always do, this makes it a little more challenged because you’ve had to much turnover.”

Our take: AFC West teams didn’t necessarily play the best football in 2008, but the games were often interesting (remember those wild finishes between San Diego and Kansas City? Jay Cutler’s “fumble” against San Diego? Oakland’s surprising win at Denver?). All these new faces, schemes and personalities mean 2009 could be just as nutty.

About knowing if he was ready to be an NFL head coach at age 32: “I don’t know if you’re ever totally prepared. Was I prepared to be an offensive coordinator, you know? Was I prepared to be the quarterbacks coach in 2004? I think you get confidence from those people around you that are willing to put you in those positions. Obviously Mr. Bowlen and the people in Denver who went through the search felt very strongly that I was ready and capable. I have a lot of confidence in what I can do and what I have done, and I’m absolutely looking forward to the challenge.”

Our take: If you weren’t looking at him, you’d forget McDaniels is only 32 years old based on his level of confidence and the serious way he approaches all aspects of his job. The only thing McDaniels probably hates talking about more than Jay Cutler is his own age. If he is able to win this season, all that age talk will disappear. If not, it might be considered a liability. (I will, however, go on record that Tampa coach Raheem Morris looks even younger than McDaniels does. Morris, who interviewed for the Broncos’ job, could fit in on any college campus).

It’s good to hear that McDaniels is genually excited about the running game this seasson. I think we’ve all been wondering what he’s got up his sleeve with all those backs on roster, but if he’s that excited.. and with his offensive experience and success… I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

And boy, oh boy – what an offense this will be if the run game really does catch up to the passing game!

Alex Adams

It’s good to hear that McDaniels is genually excited about the running game this seasson. I think we’ve all been wondering what he’s got up his sleeve with all those backs on roster, but if he’s that excited.. and with his offensive experience and success… I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

And boy, oh boy – what an offense this will be if the run game really does catch up to the passing game!

Musicnut

Figuring Jay Cutler will be back with his incredible padding game, throw in an good running game and an even marginal defense and the Broncos should be a force next year. Put together a GREAT defence ane we can start making room in the trophy case…

Musicnut

Figuring Jay Cutler will be back with his incredible padding game, throw in an good running game and an even marginal defense and the Broncos should be a force next year. Put together a GREAT defence ane we can start making room in the trophy case…

Musicnut

The last post was supposed to say Jay Cutler will be back with his incredible PASSING game… Sorry

Musicnut

The last post was supposed to say Jay Cutler will be back with his incredible PASSING game… Sorry

nature Boy

I think we’ll have an exciting running game as long as josh doesn’t git rid of peyton hillis

nature Boy

I think we’ll have an exciting running game as long as josh doesn’t git rid of peyton hillis

Lanny

The Broncos are in for a rude awakenwing. Mr. Bowlen had better think of another ruse to pull off after the 2009 season on the loyal fans. He is a farce just like the Coach he hired is trying to be a Jr. Belichik. He might try a little humility first instead of just plowing in here and pretending that he has all of the answers to the Broncos problems. Yes, they can be fixed, but by getting everyone to pull together with respect, starting with the most important part of the team, which in my opinion, is the Quarterback. Mr. Bowlen might suggest to McDaniel that he attend a Psychology course and work some methods into his handling of people. How can a 32 year old newly appointed head Coach expect to immediately command the respect of all of his players before he even coaches a one on the field. Jay Cutler simply wants some respect and trust. I seriously doubt if he will ever be able to develop a trust for McDaniels.

Lanny

The Broncos are in for a rude awakenwing. Mr. Bowlen had better think of another ruse to pull off after the 2009 season on the loyal fans. He is a farce just like the Coach he hired is trying to be a Jr. Belichik. He might try a little humility first instead of just plowing in here and pretending that he has all of the answers to the Broncos problems. Yes, they can be fixed, but by getting everyone to pull together with respect, starting with the most important part of the team, which in my opinion, is the Quarterback. Mr. Bowlen might suggest to McDaniel that he attend a Psychology course and work some methods into his handling of people. How can a 32 year old newly appointed head Coach expect to immediately command the respect of all of his players before he even coaches a one on the field. Jay Cutler simply wants some respect and trust. I seriously doubt if he will ever be able to develop a trust for McDaniels.

GonzoHOFbeforeSharpe

cHIEFS HALEY CAN LEARN FROM MCDANIELS
Two young coaches, both in their first off season, both influenced by Belicheck. Both have gotten into it with players from the previous regime (Cutler, Waters). Yet Haley came out of the tussle looking like a guy old enough to command his men, and McDaniels looks like a guy about to be fired before he plays a single game. Everyone can at least be a good example of what not to be. Including Josh McDaniels.

GonzoHOFbeforeSharpe

cHIEFS HALEY CAN LEARN FROM MCDANIELS
Two young coaches, both in their first off season, both influenced by Belicheck. Both have gotten into it with players from the previous regime (Cutler, Waters). Yet Haley came out of the tussle looking like a guy old enough to command his men, and McDaniels looks like a guy about to be fired before he plays a single game. Everyone can at least be a good example of what not to be. Including Josh McDaniels.

peter

its time for both JAY AND JOSH to grow up and reach an agreement,the kind of money they boyh make common guys !!!and really JAY IS REALLY BEING UNREASONABLE!!!!STOP THINKING OF YOURSELF AND GROW UP!!!

peter

its time for both JAY AND JOSH to grow up and reach an agreement,the kind of money they boyh make common guys !!!and really JAY IS REALLY BEING UNREASONABLE!!!!STOP THINKING OF YOURSELF AND GROW UP!!!

KBurnham

I can only hope we are only subjected to one losing season with McDummie as the head coach. Lets start a petition to throw Bowlen out and rehire Shanahan as owner and Head Coach!!! Too bad the fans here in Denver don’t own the team because we will surely suffer thru the next season. Really no reason to watch the NFL this upcoming season!

KBurnham

I can only hope we are only subjected to one losing season with McDummie as the head coach. Lets start a petition to throw Bowlen out and rehire Shanahan as owner and Head Coach!!! Too bad the fans here in Denver don’t own the team because we will surely suffer thru the next season. Really no reason to watch the NFL this upcoming season!

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.